Michelin-starred chef Niall Keating launches 'city's most gastronomic afternoon tea experience' at his Manchester restaurant Tender

The new afternoon tea has been launched at Niall's city centre restaurant, based inside a stunning domed hall at the luxury five-star Stock Exchange Hotel

Michelin Star chef Niall Keating has created what is being billed as the 'city's most gastronomic afternoon tea experience' at his restaurant Tender, inside the Stock Exchange Hotel.

The new afternoon tea has been launched at Niall's city centre restaurant, based inside a stunning domed hall at the luxury five-star hotel. The venue has become a hotspot for celebrities in recent months, co-owned by former Manchester United footballer Gary Neville.

The new afternoon tea is served in an Art Deco style circular stand and features a host of sweet and savoury treats with nods to both Manchester and the hotel building's history as the city's former Stock Exchange.

The layers of foodie offerings includes an Eccles cake flavoured macaroon, a large slice of sausage and Bury black pudding roll and a Jaffa Cake flavoured chocolate coin.

The afternoon tea service officially began this week, and will now be available to book on Wednesdays through to Saturdays from 1pm at the restaurant.

Niall is one of the very few chefs to have ever held two Michelin Stars, won during his time at Whatley Manor in Wiltshire. He opened his Manchester restaurant last year with the promise of bringing 'gamechanging' cuisine to the city.

He has designed the new afternoon tea with his trademark approach to fine dining - simple cooking, done well, with the best ingredients - and the building’s historic roots in mind too. He told the Manchester Evening News he's also keen to make it an affordable treat, priced at £35 per person, which puts it in line with other hotel afternoon tea offerings across the city, like The Midland.

It is being billed as a 'food lover's afternoon tea inspired by Manchester's bold history and innovative spirit'.

The full afternoon tea menu includes fruit scones with Cornish clotted cream and strawberry jam, sweet treats like hazelnut and praline Valrhona chocolate waffle cone, raspberry and vanilla choux bun with coconut and maraschino cherry and an Eccles cake macaron with raisin and shortbread crumb.

On the savoury front you get a nicely hefty slice of pork and Bury black pudding sausage roll, while artisan Sandwiches include dinky prawn Marie-Rose milk rolls as well as larger sandwich slices of roast beef with creamed horseradish, and truffled chopped egg mayonnaise.

Niall says he believes the quality of the food he is offering is 'second to none' in Manchester for the price point. He told the M.E.N: "I want us to stand out in Manchester, I know the quality of food we are providing is next to none for the price point and with this stunning location.

"Offering an afternoon tea is a great fit for the room, we want to see this place full which is why we've priced it fairly, we don't want people to have this perception that people could struggle to come through the doors here."

Niall and his team have hand-picked twelve teas to complement the menu from artisan specialists PMD. This family owned business produces quality, ethically sourced Sri Lankan Ceylon teas, handpicked for the finest experience possible.

The menu includes a specially created Stock Exchange Blend created in collaboration with PMD. The '1906' tea is named after the year that the Stock Exchange building was opened and is made solely from seedling tea bushes planted around the turn of the last century - now over 100-years-old.

The tea aims to recreate the unique flavours enjoyed in 1906 by those working and living in the stock exchange and across Manchester.

For those who want some fizz with their fancies, the Stock Exchange Champagne Afternoon Tea is priced at £45 and includes a glass of Collet Brut.

There's also a Cocktail Afternoon Tea option for those seeking inventive drinks to complement the menu. Guests can choose from the 'Daytime Daisy's' (a creative blend of London Dry Gin, chamomile, vanilla, lemon and egg white) or the refreshing Citrus Serenade (grapefruit, bergamot, sparkling wine).

Those booking for afternoon tea on Saturdays will be accompanied at the weekend by live music courtesy of an array of local musicians, including a monthly visit from the world famous Hallé Orchestra - Manchester’s original symphony orchestra - who gave a sneak preview performance at the launch this week.

Chef Niall added: "Manchester has always been a city that inspires creativity, ambition and connection. This afternoon tea experience reflects that legacy while also providing a warm, welcoming and delicious new afternoon tea experience for the city."